Water ball



Dec. 4, 1934. G. T. HANSEN 1,982,913

WATER BALL Filed March 27, 1953 /N vf/v To@ /C/' Z /JURNHY Tf HANQEN ATTO/PNE YS Patented Dec. A4, 1934 1,982,913 WATER BALL l Gurney T. Hansen, Colonie, N, Y. Application March 27, 1933, Serial Nc. 662,939

` 3 Claims.

' Oneof the objects of my invention is the provision of'a device which may be used as a float onto which bathers may climb and from which they may dive. The buoyant device embodying 5 my'invention preferably has a surface configural sa.

tion which permits the same to be rotated freely in the water.

A further object is a device of the foregoing character having the characteristicsof pliability and lightness in weight and which is free to assume any position in the Water.

With these and other objects in View, my invention includes the novel elements and the combinations and arrangements thereof described bel low and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which I have illustrated the preferred embodiment of my invention and in which- Fig. 1 is an elevation view of a preferred form of my device; and

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the demountable steps which are adapted to be secured about the body of my device.

Like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the drawing.

The body 1 of my buoyant device is preferably in the form of a sphere, as illustrated, though it may be of any suitable shape which will permit it to assume various positions in the water and at the same time present a surface extending considerably above the level thereof. 'I'he body is freely rotatable when supported in a liquid and its center of gravity remains substantially the same distance from the surface of the liquid when the body is rotated therein. The ball is preferably formed of rubber or any other suitable pliable, water resistant material provided with a suitable valve of any well known construction whereby the ball may be inflated to any predetermined extend. Obviously, my device may comprise a body formed in any suitable manner and of .any suitable material whereby the same is rendered buoyant. The preferred manner of construction, indicated above, provides a pliable, buoyant body which is light in weight so that it may be easily manipulated by bathers with no fear of injuries. Furthermore, though I have described the ball as comprising a single thickness of material, it is to be understcd that two or more thicknesses thereof may be used.

On the surface of the body 1 is provided a plurality of steps preferably forming the rungs of ladders as in the embodiment illustrated. Obviously, these steps may be secured to the body 1 in any suitable manner and so disposed on the surface thereof as to form a means whereby a bather may 'climb to an upper surface of-said body. I have illustrated flexible ladders, indicated generally at 2, as the means provided, whereby the body 1 may be climbed upon. The ladders-2 are preferably composed of inner and outer straps 3 and 4, respectively, spaced apart by blocks 5 suitably disposed between the straps and secured thereto as by rivets 6. The blocks 5 are preferably composed of hard rubber or the like and are adapted to receive and support bars 7 which form the rungs of the ladder. The straps 3 and 4 may be composed of leather or any flexible material which is Water resistant and which may be caused to friotionally engage the surface of the body 1 with minimum abrasion. Furthermore, the straps 3 and 4 may form an endless belt adapted to lie circumferentially of the body 1, or may be provided with a clasp so that they may be buckled in position on the surface of the body. I have illustrated a buckle 8 as the means which I have used to connect the ends of the straps together in order to secure them on the surfaceof the body. Although I have illustrated but one buckle, it is to be understood that each of the straps 3 and 4 of the several ladders are provided with buckles so that said ladders may be removed from or applied to the surface of the body l as desired.

In use several swimmers or bathers arrange themselves on one side of the ball and hold it while another climbs the ladder on the opposite side. The straps 4 of the ladder form hand grips for the bather or swimmer which facilitates his scaling of the ladder. Amusement is of course created when one person attempts to climb the ladder to the top .of the ball and the person or persons on the opposite side of the ball suddenly release the ladder thereby permitting the bather who is attempting to ascend the ladder to be 'precipitately plunged into the water. The device is susceptible of use'in a variety of ways to the amusement of the bathers and spectators.

When inflated, the body 1 will retain the ladders 2 on the surface thereof whether the straps 3 and 4 are composed of endless bands of material or are coupled together by suitable clasps. In other words, if the straps 3 and 4 comprised endless bands, it would be necessary to rely er1- tirely upon the body 1 being inflated to such an extent that said bands would be frictionally retained on the surface thereof. Where clasping means, such as the buckles as illustrated, are used, the ladders may be applied to the surface of the body 1 after the same has been distended or the bands 3 and 4 may be joined together and thereafter the inflation of the body 1 employedA to hold said bands in position as in the case Where the bands form endless members. Furthermore, when exible ladders of the type which I have illustrated, are used, the number of ladders on the surface of the body 1 may be changed without the necessity of deating the body in order to remove the same.

Although I have illustrated flexible ladders, it is to be understood that I may use any form -of ladder which may be adapted to lie about the surface of a body having a surface configuration of the kind hereinbefore referred to. Further more, any means may be used which form in effect a series of steps extending entirely around a buoyant body such as that contemplated by my invention.

It is further to be understood that therr body of my device may not necessarily be limited to an inflatable body but said body may be composed of buoyant material which in and of itself' will support the Weight of a bather or plurality of bathers and which is preferably inherently light in Weight. Hence, while I have described my invention in its preferred embodiments With reference to the materials with which it is composed, do not wish to limit myself thereto, it being understood that the Words which I have used are Words of description and not of limitation and that changes within the purview of the appended claims may be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of my invention in its broader aspects.

What I claim is:

1. An amusement device `comprising a buoyant body substantially circular in cross section and provided with an endless ladder unattached to said body and the sides of which extend circumferentially thereof.

2. An amusement device comprising a spherical buoyant body the Walls of which are formed of flexible material and provided with an endless ladder unattached to said body and the sides of which extend circumferentially thereof.

3. An amusement device comprising a buoyant spherical body the Walls of which are imperiorate and formed of iiexible material, and a ladder thesides of which are formed of flexible material extending circumferentially of said body and unattached thereto. Y

j GURNEY T. HANSEN. 

